John Mackey, chief executive of Whole Foods Market, said on Wednesday the high-end supermarket chain had reached “a tipping point” for sustained and rapid growth, as quarterly sales topped $1bn for the first time.

“All the indications are pointing to the fact that the Whole Foods Market brand has definitely hit tipping point,” Mr Mackey said. “We are building a record pipeline of new stores and have sufficient capital to grow as rapidly as we can...the brand continues to strengthen and we open bigger and better stores at an accelerated rate in the years ahead.”